I have 8 siblings. I'm 19 and the youngest is 12, oldest 34. All by the same parents. My siblings have been absolutely essential in my life. I don't want kids but if I did, I'd have 5. I have approximately 50 cousins, too. Knew most of them growing up but it didn't matter cause I always came home to my siblings. Also have 8 (soon to be 10!) nieces and nephews. And two sisters in law. My big family has been my rock through everything.

(Original post by Anonymous)
I'm the oldest child (girl, 21) and I have two younger siblings. I have 1 sister 19 and a brother 12. (13 this year).

Eventually, when I have my own children I'd like to have at least 2 or 3. As much as I argued with my siblings, I can't imagine my life without them. Plus when it comes to my parents growing old, it's nice to have sibling support just not financially but emotionally also. I want my children to have aunts, uncles and cousins to grow up with. I didn't have much of that, considering my Mums siblings are mostly in India except for one sibling which is here but her children are very young so they get along better you my brother. My Dads brothers, are just a pain. So, no cousins from his side but I did see them occasionally but never had much love for them so I'm glad I had my siblings to grow up with.

Obviously, it's not guaranted you will get along and be close with your siblings. Our parents always maintained that we have a close sibling bond with eachother. I do think it comes down to parenting if you're close with your siblings but not 100%.

What are your thoughts on this? ☺️

Speaking from the biased position of an only child I think siblings are overrated. Studies have consistently shown that only children are more likely to be academically successful than children with siblings at no cost to the social side of it. Only children are more mature than children with siblings due to the increased interaction with adults

From my own personal experience I don't think I suffered growing up due to a lack of siblings as I received more gifts and holiday experiences and achieved more due to the fact my mother could afford tuition for me. Had I had a sibling I'm not sure the same could be said

People say that you are less caring and more selfish if you are an only child but it's not true. I'm an only child practising Buddhism, trying to help people with their happiness in any way I can. I always share when I can, and I have aspirations to study Environmental Science, in hopes of benefiting the world and the life we have on our Earth. Tell me if you think that my goals are selfish.

I don't think you need siblings. I've got this far without them and I'm perfectly fine in my life. I think the centred attention has helped me a lot in terms of my education and my hobbies. Being an only child has shaped who I am today, but not in a negative way at all.

Having siblings, on the flip side of it, also has brilliant advantages and definitely helps to teach children how to be compassionate and sharing, but you are in no means disadvantaged if you are an only child (unless you live somewhere really rural where there's hardly anyone around).

Well, I didn't have to pay for tuition for any of my children as they all were academic and all have good careers. Neither did I feel as a parent that I had to provide an excess of material items to prove my aptitude as a parent.
If I didn't want my children to have an item they asked for then they didn't get it - end of - and I would have had exactly the same attitude if I had only one child.

(Original post by Dr Adaeze)
I think it is important to have siblings, just because it helps to teach you things in life that you may not otherwise be able to do if you are an only child. For example, learning to get on with a person of a similar age, learning to live with someone of a similar age, etc, which are good skills that could help you later in life. It also teaches you to be able to share and get on with someone, and in the future it will be nice to have someone around once your parents have gone to share memories and experiences with.

(Original post by loveleest)
I have 3 brothers, and not saying it in a bad way but sometimes I feel as if I'd be better off being the only child. Not that I don't appreciate them I just feel as if it would be less hassle and I would have a lot more things to myself.

Growing up siblings can be annoying, but you learn to apreciate them when you're older and don't see them as often.

(Original post by Goaded)
I have 8 siblings. I'm 19 and the youngest is 12, oldest 34. All by the same parents. My siblings have been absolutely essential in my life. I don't want kids but if I did, I'd have 5. I have approximately 50 cousins, too. Knew most of them growing up but it didn't matter cause I always came home to my siblings. Also have 8 (soon to be 10!) nieces and nephews. And two sisters in law. My big family has been my rock through everything.

(Original post by AngryRedhead)
Speaking from the biased position of an only child I think siblings are overrated. Studies have consistently shown that only children are more likely to be academically successful than children with siblings at no cost to the social side of it. Only children are more mature than children with siblings due to the increased interaction with adults

From my own personal experience I don't think I suffered growing up due to a lack of siblings as I received more gifts and holiday experiences and achieved more due to the fact my mother could afford tuition for me. Had I had a sibling I'm not sure the same could be said

I guess it depends on what you want.. In terms of education people sacrifice having another child.

(Original post by Amefish)
People say that you are less caring and more selfish if you are an only child but it's not true. I'm an only child practising Buddhism, trying to help people with their happiness in any way I can. I always share when I can, and I have aspirations to study Environmental Science, in hopes of benefiting the world and the life we have on our Earth. Tell me if you think that my goals are selfish.

I don't think you need siblings. I've got this far without them and I'm perfectly fine in my life. I think the centred attention has helped me a lot in terms of my education and my hobbies. Being an only child has shaped who I am today, but not in a negative way at all.

Having siblings, on the flip side of it, also has brilliant advantages and definitely helps to teach children how to be compassionate and sharing, but you are in no means disadvantaged if you are an only child (unless you live somewhere really rural where there's hardly anyone around).

I guess if just depends on the type of family you want really. In terms of parents, in their older age it is nice having siblings to help out emotionally and financially.

(Original post by Seamus123)
Well, I didn't have to pay for tuition for any of my children as they all were academic and all have good careers. Neither did I feel as a parent that I had to provide an excess of material items to prove my aptitude as a parent.
If I didn't want my children to have an item they asked for then they didn't get it - end of - and I would have had exactly the same attitude if I had only one child.

That's true, I agree with you there! Just because you're privately educated doesn't make you better than someone who doesn't or more privileged.

I can't wait to have my own children and my sister to have her own also. Our children will be close (I hope). My brother is only 12 at the moment 😂

(Original post by Another)
Not really - this is coming from someone with 3 siblings. As long as the child is regularly socialised with people their age they should be fine

Yes, people don't put enough emphasis on how important that is. I had an older sister who wasn't socialised properly and, as a result, I also wasn't socialised properly. Now she's messed up and I, seeing how she turned out, am trying to make sure I don't end up the same way, but it seems that's quite a challenge sometimes....

(Original post by super_kawaii)
No, it's more important a child has more in terms of education, travel, good food and experiences, than any siblings. There are some invaluable things that siblings only deny children, due to funds

Agreed. I had (as I said above) a sister and neither of us have been to university, been outside the country, not sure exactly about "good food" and I presume none of what you count as "experiences".

I think there are advantages to both having siblings and being an only child. Neither will necessarily give you any particular personality traits, but of course certain needs are easier to meet in each case. Everyone is unique and families are different so it really depends what works for each family, and even then I don't believe that it's an unavoidable 'it will be awful if we don't/do have more children' thing. Basically, obviously it has a big impact, but a child can have a great upbringing either way regardless of most circumstances.

I was an only child but was always very social. In fact, even now, I love being around people and very rarely feel I want some time 'on my own', and I do wonder whether it's because I didn't have to deal with siblings always being there! For me this is a positive. I don't get bored unless I'm being forced to do something I'm uninterested in either, as I have learnt to amuse myself and be with my thoughts. I learnt sharing and social skills by going to clubs etc and if I had an only child I'd certainly do lots of that with them, but tbh having worked in early years I'd do that with any child anyway as it has so many benefits.

I guess you got the point out. Siblings are an important part in life, if they have a good and quite trustful relationship to each other. As you said, they are good contact persons to share emotional problems or to ask for support in general (financial issues as you named). From this point of view, it is so sad and a real pitty that I have lost my brother so early by an accident. In the last decade, I would have spoken to him so much.